The B.A. major in Linguistics requires a minimum of 33 hours numbered above 200 (24 in required courses, 9 in approved electives) and four semesters of a second language or the equivalent. Required courses are: LING 301, 303, 304, 322, 331, 367, 412 or 446, 425 or 429. The 9 hours in approved electives may be selected from courses in linguistics or from courses in other departments approved by the department advisor. The four semesters of a second language may be satisfied by fulfilling the College Second Language Group requirement.
The B.A. major in Linguistics with a concentration in Signed Language Studies requires 33 hours (24 required, 9 in approved electives) and four semesters of American Sign Language: SIGN 201, 210, 211, 310, or the equivalent. Required courses are SIGN 305, 352, 355 and LING 322, 331 or 359, 367, 412, 425 or 429. Electives must be approved by the Signed Language Studies advisor.
The B.S. major in Signed Language Interpreting requires the following courses: SIGN 201, 210, 211, 212, 214, 310, 352, 360, 411, 412, 418, 419 and LING 101. Students majoring in Signed Language Interpreting must be approved by the Signed Language Interpreting program.
An interdisciplinary B.A. major in languages is offered through the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures in conjunction with the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. The Department of Linguistics makes available several courses that qualify for this major. Consult with the advisor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.
The minor in Linguistics requires 21 hours of courses numbered 200 or above: 12 hours of required linguistics courses (LING 301, 303, 304, and 322) and 9 hours of electives. The electives may be selected from courses in linguistics or from courses in other departments which have been approved by the Department Advisor.
For the major, composite major or minor in language arts, bilingual education, teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), and reading, see the Bilingual/TESOL Education, Elementary Education and Secondary Education section of this catalog.
A student seeking departmental honors in the Department of Linguistics (for majors in either Linguistics or Signed Language Interpreting) should identify a research project during the junior year in consultation with an appropriate professor and should submit a proposal in the form of a letter to the department chairperson.
If the proposal is approved by the department chairperson, the student should enroll in LING 498 the first semester of the senior year and LING 499 the second semester of the senior year. These 6 hours of honors work are in addition to the minimum number of hours required for the major.
Courses
LING 101. Introduction to the Study of Language. (3)
(Also offered as ANTH 110)
Broad overview of the nature of language: language structure, biology of language, language learning, language and thought, bilingualism, social and regional variation and educational implications. Intended to fulfill breadth requirements in any college. 101 and ANTH 110 may not both be counted for credit.
LING 295. Special Topics in Current Language Issues. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Special topics motivated by expertise of instructor and interest of students. Topics such as language and gender, language and politics, animal communication, language and aging and languages of the world. May be repeated for credit as topic varies.
{Offered upon demand}
LING 301 [292]. Introduction to Linguistic Analysis. (3)
Basic concepts and technical vocabulary of language as a structured system: phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics. Emphasis on descriptive linguistics; some attention to language change and variation. Presumes no prior knowledge of linguistics.
LING 303. Introduction to Phonetics. (3)
(Also offered as SHS 303)
Neel, Smith
An introduction to the physiological mechanisms underlying speech production, linguistic classification and transcription of speech sounds, acoustic properties of speech sounds, relationship between phonetics and phonology, and applications to speech pathology.
LING 304 / 504. Phonological Analysis. (3)
(Also offered as ANTH 317)
Smith
Introduction to patterns in sound structure, with an emphasis on problem-solving. Topics include distinctive features, common phonological processes, autosegmental theory and syllable structure.
Prerequisite: LING 301 or LING 303 or SHS 303
LING 322 / 522. Grammatical Analysis. (3)
(Also offered as ANTH *318)
Axelrod, Croft, Gorbet
Principles of morphological and syntactic analysis and introduction to functional and formal theories of grammar. Descriptive analysis of grammatical structures and problems from a variety of languages.
Prerequisite: 301 or SIGN 305 or SPAN 351
LING 331 / 531. Language in Society. (3)
Axelrod
Introduction to sociolinguistics. Topics: social dialects, societal multilingualism, language contact, language attitudes, language policy and planning, the role of language in binding and defining communities.
Prerequisite: 101 or 301 or 440 or ANTH 110
LING 334 / 534. Language and Gender. (3)
Axelrod
(Also offered as WMST 334)
This course provides an introduction to linguistic analyses of language used by and about women and men, exploring how language is used in constructing ourselves and others as men and women, gay, straight, or transgendered.
LING 359 / 559. Language and Culture. (3)
(Also offered as ANTH 310 and CJ 319)
Dinwoodie, Gorbet
Examination of the interrelations of language and speech with other selected aspects of culture and cognition.
Prerequisite: 101 or 301 or ANTH 110
LING 367 / 567. Psychology of Language. (3)
Morford
(Also offered as PSY **367)
Theoretical and methodological issues in psycholinguistics, including comprehension, speech perception and production, language acquisition, bilingualism, brain and language, reading.
Prerequisite: 101 or 301 or ANTH 110 or PSY 220 or PSY 240 or PSY 260 or PSY 265 or PSY 271
LING *401-402. Topics: American Indian Languages. (3, 3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Introductory study of a Native American language, selected according to availability of instructor and student interest. May be repeated for credit as the topic varies.
LING 406 / 506. Introduction to Experimental Phonetics. (3)
Smith
Introduction to experimental methods used in the study of speech. Laboratory exercises in computer-based measurement of acoustic and aerodynamic data. Acoustic theory illustrated by sounds in diverse languages. Introduction to speech technology.
Prerequisite: 303 or SHS 303 or SPAN 350
LING 412 / 512. Morphosyntax. (3)
Axelrod, Croft
Analysis of the morphology and syntax of a broad range of constructions, examining crosslinguistic variation and universals, semantic and discourse functions, and historical origins.
Prerequisite: 322
LING 413 / 513. Linguistic Field Methods. (3)
Axelrod, Gorbet
Practice in transcribing from oral dictation, phonemic analysis, introduction to problems of morphology.
Prerequisite: (304 or ANTH 317) and (322 or ANTH *318).
{Offered upon demand}
LING 415 / 515. Native American Languages. (3)
Axelrod
(Also offered as ANTH 415)
Survey of Indian languages of North America, with special emphasis on languages of New Mexico. Topics: linguistic structure in particular languages and language families; relationship of languages and cultures; and language loss, maintenance and preservation.
LING 417 / 517. Typology and Universals. (3)
Croft
An overview of language universals based on the comparison of a broad range of languages, and explanations for language universals. Topics covered include implicational universals, typological markedness, functional motivations, and diachronic typology.
Prerequisite: 322
LING 425 / 525. Semantic Analysis. (3)
Axelrod, Croft, Travis
An introduction to the study of sentence and word level meaning in the languages of the world, emphasizing the role of speaker and hearer, linguistic and extralinguistic context, lexical semantics, and grammatical meaning.
Prerequisite: 301 or SIGN 305 or SPAN 351
LING 429 / 529. Discourse Analysis. (3)
Axelrod, Travis
Introduction to the relationship of morphosyntax to the structure of discourse in the languages of the world. Topics: method and theory in the analysis of spoken and written discourse; basic notions such as topic, focus and cohesion.
Prerequisite: 322
LING 432 / 532. Spanish-English Bilingualism. (3)
An introduction to issues in bilingualism with emphasis on Spanish and English in the Southwest. Topics: language maintenance and shift, language policy and education, borrowing and codeswitching, first and second language acquisition, language attitudes.
LING 433/533. Sociolinguistic Variation. (3)
Linguistic variability in relation to social status and situational context, attitudinal correlates of language stratification and sociolinguistic change in progress.
Prerequisite: (LING 303 or SHS 303 or SPAN 350) and (LING 301 or SPAN 351).
LING 435 / 535. Societal Bilingualism. (3)
Differential use of languages in multilingual societies; attitudinal correlates of use; language maintenance and shift in relation to other social change; language loyalty and group identification.
Prerequisite: 331
LING 436 [436 / 536]. Language and Education in Southwest Native American Communities. (3)
(Also offered as LLSS 460/560 and NATV *460)
This course explores the historical context of education and its impact on Native American communities of the Southwest. Topics include native language acquisition, bilingualism, language shift, and language revitalization efforts in native communities and schools.
LING 440 / 540. Introduction to Linguistics. (3)
Broad overview of the field of linguistics; principles and practices of linguistic analysis, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics and educational linguistics. Oriented primarily to the needs of present and prospective teachers.
LING 441 . English Grammars. (3)
Beene
(Also offered as ENGL 441)
A survey of various grammar models and their applications to analysis of the English language.
Prerequisite: ENGL 240.
LING 446 / 546. Introduction to Language Change. (3)
Croft
Also offered as ANTH 416)
Theories and methods of comparative and historical linguistics, emphasizing change in English, Indo-European and Native American languages.
Prerequisite: 304 or ANTH 317
LING 447 / 547. Old English. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Damico
(Also offered as ENGL 447/547)
An introduction to the grammar, syntax, and phonology of Old English. Prepares students for more advanced studies in this and later periods.
LING 449 . Middle English Language. (3)
Damico
(Also offered as ENGL 449/549)
Comprehensive study of Middle English dialects and the development of Middle English from Old English. Prepares students for Middle English literature.
LING 460 / 560. Child Language. (3)
Morford
(Also offered as PSY 422)
Theories, methodologies and findings in child language from birth to late childhood. Emphasizes implications of child language data for linguistic and psycholinguistic theories. Topics: biological foundations; pre-linguistic communication; phonological, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic development; bilingualism.
Prerequisite: 367 or PSY 324 or PSY 328 or PSY 360 or PSY 367
LING 469L / 569L. Experimental Psycholinguistics. (3)
Morford
Laboratory course in psycholinguistics; review of classic issues and research. Provides an opportunity to learn basic research methods in experimental psycholinguistics and gain skills necessary to conduct independent research.
Prerequisite: 367 or 567 or PSY 367.
LING 490 / 590. Topics in Linguistics. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Special topics motivated by expertise of instructor and interest of students.
LING 495. Undergraduate Problems. (1-6, to a maximum of 6 Δ)
For original individual study project approved by instructor. Maximum of 6 hours creditable to linguistics major or minor.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
LING 498. Reading and Research for Honors. (3)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
LING 499. Honors Thesis. (3)
LING 502. Generative Theories of Phonology. (3)
Smith
The basic organizational units of phonology: features, segments, syllables, words, suprasegmentals, tone, stress and intonation. Topics: natural phonological processes, diachronic changes, and typological variation involving these units.
Prerequisite: 304 or 504 or SPAN 545
LING 503. Usage-based Phonology. (3)
Smith
The nature of phonological representations in the lexicon and the interaction of morphology, syntax, and language use with phonology. Topics: underspecification, lexical phonology, cognitive phonology, rules, schemas, and productivity.
Prerequisite: 304 or 504 or SPAN 545
LING 504 / 304. Phonological Analysis. (3)
Smith
Introduction to patterns in sound structure, with an emphasis on problem-solving. Topics include distinctive features, common phonological processes, autosegmental theory and syllable structure.
Prerequisite: 303 or SHS 303 or SPAN 350
LING 506 / 406. Introduction to Experimental Phonetics. (3)
Smith
Introduction to experimental methods used in the study of speech. Laboratory exercises in computer-based measurement of acoustic and aerodynamic data. Acoustic theory illustrated by sounds in diverse languages. Introduction to speech technology.
Prerequisite: 303 or SHS 303 or SPAN 350
LING 512 / 412. Morphosyntax. (3)
Axelrod, Croft
Analysis of the morphology and syntax of a broad range of constructions, examining crosslinguistic variation and universals, semantic and discourse functions, and historical origins.
Prerequisite: 322 or 522
LING 513 / 413. Linguistic Field Methods. (3)
Axelrod, Gorbet
Practice in transcribing from oral dictation, phonemic analysis, introduction to problems of morphology.
Prerequisite: (304 or 504 or SPAN 350) and (322 or 522).
{Offered upon demand}
LING 515 / 415. Native American Languages. (3)
Axelrod
(Also offered as ANTH 515)
Survey of Indian languages of North America, with special emphasis on languages of New Mexico. Particular languages and such issues as classification; language structure; relationship of languages and cultures; and language loss, maintenance and preservation.
LING 517 / 417. Typology and Universals. (3)
Croft
An overview of language universals based on the comparison of a broad range of languages, and explanations for language universals. Topics covered include implicational universals, typological markedness, functional motivations, and diachronic typology.
Prerequisite: 322 or 522
LING 519. Cognitive Linguistics. (3)
Croft, Gorbet
Introduction to cognitive linguistic approaches (e.g., Cognitive Grammar, Construction Grammar) to syntax, morphology, and semantics. Grammatical phenomena at various scales from morpheme to discourse and in a variety of languages.
Prerequisite: 322 or 522 or SPAN 351.
LING 522 / 322. Grammatical Analysis. (3)
Axelrod, Croft, Gorbet
Principles of morphological and syntactic analysis and introduction to functional and formal theories of grammar. Descriptive analysis of grammatical structures and problems from a variety of languages.
Prerequisite: 301 or SIGN 305 or SPAN 351
LING 523. Functional Syntactic Theories. (3)
Axelrod, Croft, Travis, S. Wilcox
Description and explanation of morphological, syntactic, and discourse phenomena, both in language-specific and typological perspective, in terms of their cognitive representations and the cognitive and interactional processes in which they function.
Prerequisite: 322 or 522 or SPAN 351.
LING 525 / 425. Semantic Analysis. (3)
Axelrod, Croft, Travis
An introduction to the study of sentence and word level meaning in the languages of the world, emphasizing the role of speaker and hearer, linguistic and extralinguistic context, lexical semantics, and grammatical meaning.
Prerequisite: 301 or SIGN 305 or SPAN 351
LING 529 / 429. Discourse Analysis. (3)
Axelrod, Travis
Introduction to the relationship of morphosyntax to the structure of discourse in the languages of the world. Topics: method and theory in the analysis of spoken and written discourse; basic notions such as topic, focus and cohesion.
Prerequisite: 322 or 522 or SPAN 351
LING 531 / 331. Language in Society. (3)
Axelrod
Introduction to sociolinguistics. Topics: social dialects, societal multilingualism, language contact, language attitudes, language policy and planning, the role of language in binding and defining communities.
Prerequisite: 101 or 301 or 440
LING 532 / 432. Spanish-English Bilingualism. (3)
An introduction to issues in bilingualism with emphasis on Spanish and English in the Southwest. Topics: language maintenance and shift, language policy and education, borrowing and codeswitching, first and second language acquisition, language attitudes.
LING 533/433. Sociolinguistic Variation. (3)
Linguistic variability in relation to social status and situational context, attitudinal correlates of language stratification and sociolinguistic change in progress.
Prerequisite: (LING 303 or SHS 303 or SPAN 350) and (LING 301 or SPAN 351).
LING 534 / 334. Language and Gender. (3)
Axelrod
(Also offered as WMST 534)
This course provides an introduction to linguistic analyses of language used by and about women and men, exploring how language is used in constructing ourselves and others as men and women, gay, straight, or transgendered.
LING 535 /435. Societal Bilingualism. (3)
Differential use of languages in multilingual societies; attitudinal correlates of use; language maintenance and shift in relation to other social change; language loyalty and group identification.
Prerequisite: 331 or 531
LING 539. Seminar in Sociolinguistics. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Variable topics such as variation theory, language planning, pidgins and creoles, language attitudes and dialectology.
LING 540 / 440. Introduction to Linguistics. (3)
Broad overview of the field of linguistics; principles and practices of linguistic analysis, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics and educational linguistics. Oriented primarily to the needs of present and prospective teachers.
LING 546 / 446. Introduction to Language Change. (3)
Bybee, Croft
(Also offered as ANTH 516)
Theories and methods of comparative and historical linguistics, emphasizing change in English, Indo-European and Native American languages.
Prerequisite: LING 304 or 504 or SPAN 545
LING 547 / 447. Old English. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Damico
(Also offered as ENGL 547/447)
An introduction to the grammar, syntax, and phonology of Old English. Prepares students for more advanced studies in this and later periods.
LING 548. Grammaticization. (3)
Grammaticization is the historical process by which words in constructions become grammatical units. The course examines this process across languages, focusing on mechanisms of change and implications for typology, universals and synchronic analysis.
Prerequisite: 412 or 512 or **SPAN 443 or SPAN 542
LING 554. Seminar in Linguistic Theory. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
(Also offered as ANTH 514)
Current topics and issues in phonology, syntax or semantics. Maximum 12 credits.
LING 559 / 359. Language and Culture. (3)
Dinwoodie, Gorbet
(Also offered as ANTH 511 and CJ 519)
Examination of the interrelations of language and speech with other selected aspects of culture and cognition.
Prerequisite: 101 or 301 or ANTH 110
LING 560 / 460. Child Language. (3)
Morford
(Also offered as PSY 522)
Theories, methodologies and findings in child language from birth to late childhood. Emphasizes implications of child language data for linguistic and psycholinguistic theories. Topics: biological foundations; pre-linguistic communication; phonological, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic development; bilingualism.
LING 565. Seminar in Thought and Language. (3)
(Also offered as PSY, EDPY 565)
The role of language in human cognition is approached from a sociocultural framework. Topics: semiotic systems, languages of the mind, categorization, problem solving, and cognitive pluralism.
LING 567 / 367. Psychology of Language. (3)
Morford
(Also offered as PSY **367)
Theoretical and methodological issues in psycholinguistics, including comprehension, speech perception and production, language acquisition, bilingualism, brain and language, reading.
Prerequisite: 301 or PSY 265 or SIGN 305
LING 568. Seminar in Psycholinguistics. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Morford
(Also offered as PSY 569)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
LING 569L / 469L. Experimental Psycholinguistics. (3)
Morford
Laboratory course in psycholinguistics; review of classic issues and research. Provides an opportunity to learn basic research methods in experimental psycholinguistics and gain skills necessary to conduct independent research.
Prerequisite: 367 or 567 or PSY 367.
LING 590 / 490. Topics in Linguistics. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Special topics motivated by expertise of instructor and interest of students.
LING 595. Graduate Problems. (1-6 to a maximum of 24 Δ)
Original independent study project approved by instructor.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
LING 599. Master’s Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
LING 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)
Original research for doctoral dissertation in Linguistics. Available only to doctoral students who have been advanced to candidacy. Taken under supervision of dissertation director.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
SIGN 201. Introduction to Signed Language. (3)
Myers, Mares, P. Wilcox
Overview of signed language studies and related issues. Introduction to American Sign Language (ASL); signed communication systems most frequently used by deaf and hard of hearing individuals; the study of fingerspelling.
SIGN 210. American Sign Language I. (3)
Myers, Rudy
Study of ASL, including basic concepts and sign lexicon. Grammatical features of ASL will be stressed, along with structure and syntax. The student will be expected to demonstrate to the instructor his or her proficiency at the end of the semester.
Prerequisite: 201
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 211. American Sign Language II. (3)
Myers, Rudy
A study of ASL including sign language colloquialisms used in conversational signing. Provides a summary of information currently available dealing with the understanding of ASL grammatical structure and its sociolinguistic usage.
Prerequisite: 210
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 212. Fingerspelling I. (3)
P. Wilcox
Assists the student in acquiring fluent fingerspelling ability through the use of visual and expressive drills. Videotapes of a variety of fingerspelling styles will be used to ensure that the student acquires a comprehensive background.
Prerequisite: 201
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 214. Lexical Semantics for Transliteration. (3)
P. Wilcox
Examines polysemy of the English lexicon which transliterators must be concerned with, ranging from semantic prototypes to word meanings which are essentially fluid. Signs representing English morphology are also discussed.
Prerequisite: 201
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN *305. Signed Language Linguistics. (3)
S. Wilcox
Examines linguistic research on signed languages, primarily ASL: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. Also covers signed language sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, language acquisition (first and second) and neurolinguistics.
Prerequisite: 210 and LING 101
Restriction: permission of instructor.
SIGN *310. American Sign Language III. (3)
Rudy
Designed to help students improve their expressive skills and general conversational competence in ASL relative to phonology, lexical items, syntax and discourse. Focuses on semantic appropriateness and accuracy of particular lexical items, appropriate use of non-manual behaviors and the use of context to determine meaning.
Prerequisite: 211
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 320. American Sign Language IV. (3)
Rudy
Intensive practice involving receptive/expressive skills in complex grammatical structures, dialogue and storytelling. Intensive study of transcription techniques and their applications to ASL research and documentation.
Prerequisite: 310
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN *352. Language and Culture in the Deaf Community, Part 1. (3)
S. Wilcox
An introduction to Deaf culture. Examines the language, education, social and political aspects and art forms of Deaf people from an anthropological point of view.
Restriction: permission of program coordinator
SIGN 355. Deaf History and Literature. (3)
Rudy
A study of the history of Deaf people, the Deaf community and an overview of all genres of Deaf literature. Topics include educational, social, political and economic aspects of the Deaf community from the Deaf perspective.
Prerequisite: 310 and 352
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN *360. The Interpreting Profession. (3)
P. Wilcox
Addresses the mental processes essential to interpretation and transliteration. In addition to exercises used to develop interpreting strategies such as memory retention, message analysis, decalage, etc., the student is introduced to the interpreter's Code of Professional Conduct and business practices of the professional interpreter.
Prerequisite: 212 and 214 and 310 and 352 and LING 101
Restriction: permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 411. Consecutive Interpretation. (3)
Shaffer
Theory and practice of consecutive interpretation. Topics: message analysis, attention, cultural mediation, reducing interference from the source language. Equal time is spent with ASL & English texts.
Prerequisite: 360
Restriction: admitted to B.S. in Signed Language Interpreting, and permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 412. Simultaneous Interpreting. (3)
Shaffer
Theory and practice of simultaneous interpretation. Topics: control of source-language input, team interpreting, self-monitoring and repair, preparation, providing feedback and special situations such as interpreting in medical settings.
Prerequisite: 411
Restriction: admitted to B.S. in Signed Language Interpreting, and permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 418. Signed Language Interpreting Research. (3)
S. Wilcox
A detailed study of current trends and practices in signed language interpreting and evaluation, along with similarities and differences between signed language and spoken language interpreting. Introduction to interpreting process models and assessment models and discussion of current research in the field of interpreting. Students will conduct a small-scale research project and participate in a debate of issues surrounding the interpreting profession.
Restriction: admitted to B.S. in Signed Language Interpreting, and permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 419. Practicum in Signed Language Interpreting. (1-3 to a maximum of 4 Δ)
Shaffer
Supervised practicum interpreting and transliterating in a variety of community and academic settings, including elementary through post-secondary classrooms, medical situations, vocational rehabilitation, platform and television interpreting and so forth. Supervised preparation for future private practice employment.
Prerequisite: 360
Restriction: admitted to B.S. in Signed Language Interpreting, and permission of program coordinator.
SIGN 495. Undergraduate Problems. (1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
